Back from Breeze Thoughts

[DenaInWyo]

On 7/31/2021 at 1:40 PM, csr10236 said:

Thank you so much for your explanation! That helps me more than you'll ever know. We're set to sail on Monday the 30th and fly into Hobby on Sunday and land at 12:30-ish in the afternoon. So it seems we should be okay especially since people will be aware of the cruise line schedules. Also, thank you for posting the cost. While a shuttle would be less expensive we did want to get to our hotel as soon as possible and not have to make multiple stops along the way to pick up or drop off other people.  Hopefully we'll be okay port to Hobby on our way home too. We have a late flight out and keeping my fingers crossed our flight leaves on time. We, too, are flying on Southwest from Los Angeles and we have a direct flight both ways. Always worth the extra cost cause I'm terrified of my luggage not making a layover.

I'm with you on shuttles.  I've done them a couple of times, for cruises and for other things, and I just hate them.  I hate waiting for everyone, making the extra stops...  It's worth it to me to just get my own private ride and go straight there when I'm ready.  I'm not the most patient person when I'm all Cruise Hyped 😄

 

[longhorn28]

Did you notice if they had Diet Dr. Pepper on board the Breeze? We sail 9/4 and CAN’T await!!!!

[wikoffclan]

On 7/21/2021 at 9:00 AM, crazy4themouse said:

 

It really is nuts, and all the construction has made it SO much worse. I should post on the port board every time 45S is closed down because of some huge accident, but I don't have time to post that often! Just last week the northbound side was closed for a long time because of some rollover accident, and once I couldn't even get off the island until close to 9pm (I get off work at 4:30) because the causeway was completely closed. I have anxiety attacks by proxy every time someone posts that they're flying in day-of their cruise, lol. We only live less than 30 miles away, and it makes *us* nervous driving in the morning of a cruise!! We get up stupid early and keep a sharp eye on Wayz that morning.

 

First time cruising from Galveston and now I'm getting nervous. On the Breeze this Saturday 8/21 and looking to stay at a hotel off I-10 in Channelview - 50 miles to the port via Rte.8 and I-45. Now thinking it might be better to stay near La Porte and taking Rte. 146 down to I-45 - 35 miles and avoids most of I-45. Would appreciate any insight/advice from a "local". Thanks!

Edited August 18, 2021 by wikoffclan

[Border Granny]

10 hours ago, wikoffclan said:

First time cruising from Galveston and now I'm getting nervous. On the Breeze this Saturday 8/21 and looking to stay at a hotel off I-10 in Channelview - 50 miles to the port via Rte.8 and I-45. Now thinking it might be better to stay near La Porte and taking Rte. 146 down to I-45 - 35 miles and avoids most of I-45. Would appreciate any insight/advice from a "local". Thanks!

I lived in Houston/Galveston area 3 different times for a lot of years, and there really is no “magic bullet” as to where to stay and how to get to the port.  I no longer live there now, but I have a son in Houston and a sister in Santa Fe which is about 15-20 minutes from the port.

 

I always come in the day before, or longer if I can to visit, and head to the port in the morning.  If you are going towards Galveston in the morning you have the advantage of most of the traffic in the morning heading toward Houston. What you can’t control are the accidents, and even if it’s in the opposite direction you are heading everything slows down because of the Looky Lou’s!  The alternative routes then get congested because of the locals who know where to go and everybody else using their phones giving them alternative routes.

 

So the best you can do is plan the route you’re comfortable with and don’t fret over things you can’t control.  I usually get there early and if it’s too early to go to the terminal drive down the sea wall and look at the ocean for a while😎.  If I’m early I’ll go to Starbucks and get coffee, you’ll be right across the street from the ship and you can watch people coming and going.  You’ll be ok, just give yourself a little extra time to get there and you’ll have a little time to relax before you board!

[Border Granny]

I forgot to comment on your route…. If it were me I’d get to 45 and take it. 146 has a lot of lights on it and will take you longer than you think looking at it on your phone.  Plus it’s just a regular highway and you’re better off just taking 45….my opinion, lol

 

[wikoffclan]

12 minutes ago, Border Granny said:

I forgot to comment on your route…. If it were me I’d get to 45 and take it. 146 has a lot of lights on it and will take you longer than you think looking at it on your phone.  Plus it’s just a regular highway and you’re better off just taking 45….my opinion, lol

 

Thank you So much for your words of wisdom! I'll stop stressing, stick with my plan and toast you with an umbrella drink once onboard!!

[Border Granny]

2 minutes ago, wikoffclan said:

Thank you So much for your words of wisdom! I'll stop stressing, stick with my plan and toast you with an umbrella drink once onboard!!

Good Deal,  and just remember if you miss your original boarding time they’re still going to let you board:) As long as she’s still tied to the dock I’ve seen them let people on just before they were going to pull the gangway back, lol

[jcgld62]

On 8/16/2021 at 6:44 PM, longhorn28 said:

Did you notice if they had Diet Dr. Pepper on board the Breeze? We sail 9/4 and CAN’T await!!!!

No diet Dr Pepper on the Breeze a couple weeks ago, just regular DP.

[ontheweb]

On 7/29/2021 at 2:00 AM, cuppy said:

Why is there no cheers package for day 1?  I was just looking top after it and the charge is for the five nights,  no mention of not being able to use it your first night

It has to do with Texas would charge sales tax on the alcohol purchase until you are out of their territorial waters.

[SCBarker]

14 hours ago, wikoffclan said:

First time cruising from Galveston and now I'm getting nervous. On the Breeze this Saturday 8/21 and looking to stay at a hotel off I-10 in Channelview - 50 miles to the port via Rte.8 and I-45. Now thinking it might be better to stay near La Porte and taking Rte. 146 down to I-45 - 35 miles and avoids most of I-45. Would appreciate any insight/advice from a "local". Thanks!

I live in downtown Houston and still take 146 to Galveston if I've heard anything bad about I-45 that morning. If you do that, SH225 to SH146. SH225 is a ghost town on weekends. There are lights on 146, and you may get a little bit of back-up at the Kemah bridge if you wait too late in the morning.

It's a solid back-up plan to have in case you open Google maps that morning and I-45 is solid red.

Btw, Beltway 8 ship channel bridge is toll tag only. Steer clear if you don't have one.

[dallasdan]

I live 4 1/2 hours from the cruise terminal and I still drive in the night before and get a hotel, either in Galveston or Texas City.  I don't want to take a chance on traffic in the morning.

[CoasterGuy]

I'm glad you enjoyed the breeze. I did a halloween cruise on her a few years ago. Great ship. 

[arkaine23]

1 hour ago, dallasdan said:

I live 4 1/2 hours from the cruise terminal and I still drive in the night before and get a hotel, either in Galveston or Texas City.  I don't want to take a chance on traffic in the morning.

Texas City/Webster would be cheaper options than Galveston.

[TravelGirlinDallas]

We are staying at the Tru hotel in Webster prior to our Galveston cruise on the Dream next month.

[marne001]

On 7/19/2021 at 1:14 PM, hgalls56 said:

1.  

🙂

Your post was exactly what I needed to hear.  Thank you. 

I am looking for MDR menus from Breeze. We are booking 3 premium dinners and would hate to miss some of our favourite dishes. 

Again loved your spirit in the post. 

Edited August 19, 2021 by marne001

[Brkintx]

I sailed on the Breeze last weekend (July 29-Aug 2).  I can agree with most of the OP's comments here, will add a couple of other points:

1. Slot attendants were very slow both in the main casino and the annex. I had three W-2 level pays and two hand pays that were not jackpots... My wait times for most were more than 15 minutes before I saw the first attendant come by, and in every one of those 5 cases I had to have a server notify them... (No idea why they don't receive notification of such like happens on a land based casino). 

2. I was very impressed with the Italian restaurant - so much so that we went twice over the four nights. Also ate in the steakhouse one night, and it was good, but definitely did not meet my value for $ opinion. I'd rate it solidly in the same category as a chain steakhouse like Outback and well below Mortons or Capital Grill, etc.

3. Disappointing for us was Flick...  the singers were either having a very off night or something... The production itself was nicely done, but the off key and out of breath singing was less than par.

4. Traffic coming in from San Antonio was typical through Houston at 9 a.m. The Waze app actually had us exit the highway and took us through a neighborhood for about 2 miles and that saved us 19 minutes.

5. We parked in the garage and when we walked over, there were no porters outside to assist with luggage and we just rolled on instead. (10:30 check in time).

6. We went from vehicle through security and document validation to on board the ship in under 25 minutes, including a short wait before they allowed folks to board. While hallways were closed off, we were told our room was ready and available and we dropped our luggage and grabbed our S&S cards, did the muster drill check in and were feet up on the Lido before 11 a.m.

 

As with the OP, any specific questions I'll do my best with. 

 

[Northhou]

Just off the Breeze 4 day August 12-August 16.  I agree with everything Brkintx said...

 

1. The Italian place really is good and we ate there 2 nights.  Breeze has the best one imho.  Ate at the Steakhouse one night and thought it was pretty good.  Did the Chef's Table one night and it was outstanding as usual.  I know it's pricey but the food and wine is really good.  No tour of the kitchen during COVID but everyone had a great time.  

2. The Casino was really understaffed and the dealers at the craps table were rusty.  The pit boss had to correct payouts several times and a couple of them were really struggling.  Long lines at the cash window too.

3.  I don't want to sound critical...and I know they work really hard and put a lot of effort in the performance, but the singers and dancers are just not that good.  I think I saw this exact same group and the exact same performance on Vista 2 years ago.  I know I'm not watching a Broadway performance but could they pay for people who could at least sing.  

 

Really nice cruise.  Ship was super clean and didn't seem that crowded.  Glad I'm not on Breeze now coming back to Galveston around a Hurricane...bet those seas are pretty big.  

[shotzyok]

Wasn’t sure if this has been answered yet but, are they still doing the all white party one night? Booked for October and want to be prepared! 🥳

[hgalls56]

3 hours ago, shotzyok said:

Wasn’t sure if this has been answered yet but, are they still doing the all white party one night? Booked for October and want to be prepared! 🥳

Yes they still have it!

[aacruise]

One item that has not been mentioned especially if you are driving to Galveston, is to download the Houston TranStar Traffic Map app to your cellphone. It is usually right about 85% of the time. If you want to take a look before downloading the app, go to http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/

Living on Galveston Island we use it when driving up I45 to the nearest Costco or visiting family.

Edited August 21, 2021 by aacruise
Grammar error

[Brkintx]

I am not sure about the other maps and platforms, but Waze will route and reroute you to avoid traffic delays, including through shopping center parking lots, side streets, etc., all based on live conditions…  Waze is now owned by Alphabet, so my guess is that the features everyone loves most will likely be integrated into Google Maps at some point…  from my perspective, and for me, it eliminated the need to check or alternate routes or traffic anywhere before / during a trip…  

[bobbyandali]

On 7/29/2021 at 5:40 AM, mondello said:

Cheers from Galveston starts at 6:00am on Day 2 due to conflict with Texas tax/liquor laws. Alchohol must be from Texas with proper tax paid. I've read that when ship hits international waters that they switch over to (apparently) duty free alchohol. Regardless, Cheers is day 2 from Texas and NYC.

 

There are a couple of different issues.

One - when in Texas waters, you can only sell alcohol purchased from Texas distributors. This is of course more expensive for Carnival then wherever they normally source their alcohol from... so there is a limited alcohol selection until they leave Texas waters (when they can start selling from their normal non-Texas stash).

 

Two - Texas laws cause issues with the concept of a "pay one price" alcohol package. This issue would no longer apply after the ship leaves Texas waters... but my guess is there is some sort of point of sale system with having the package kick in later in the day after the boat leaves waters. 6 am is probably when the point of sale system rolls over to a new day.

Note that Royal Carribbean does the same on the first point... but apparently isn't worried about the second. 

[bobbyandali]

On 8/21/2021 at 6:03 PM, Brkintx said:

I am not sure about the other maps and platforms, but Waze will route and reroute you to avoid traffic delays, including through shopping center parking lots, side streets, etc., all based on live conditions…  Waze is now owned by Alphabet, so my guess is that the features everyone loves most will likely be integrated into Google Maps at some point…  from my perspective, and for me, it eliminated the need to check or alternate routes or traffic anywhere before / during a trip…  

We live in Louisiana and what we usually do is drive to somewhere between Lake Charles and Beaumont the night before. Wake up and drive 10 to Winnie then south to the coast and along the Bolivar Peninsula, across the ferry, and over to the terminal.

Benefits of this route are it's less mileage, no chance of I-45 traffic, and you get to take a ferry which is cool.

Drawback is there is no Buc-ee's on this route...

[Brkintx]

15 minutes ago, bobbyandali said:

We live in Louisiana and what we usually do is drive to somewhere between Lake Charles and Beaumont the night before. Wake up and drive 10 to Winnie then south to the coast and along the Bolivar Peninsula, across the ferry, and over to the terminal.

Benefits of this route are it's less mileage, no chance of I-45 traffic, and you get to take a ferry which is cool.

Drawback is there is no Buc-ee's on this route...

 

I've now lived in Texas only for about 2.5 years... but I simply do not understand the local obsession with Buc-ees. It's really just a large truckstop with mediocre BBQ inside it IMO. But I do acknowledge that it's got a cult-like following...  ;)